The play's the thing Liberty High School students learn to write for the stage SOUTHEAST -- Sykesville * Eldersburg * Gamber

April 27, 1993|By Mary Gail Hare | Mary Gail Hare,Staff Writer

Under the guidance of a professional, about 75 students at Liberty High School have been learning how to develop characters, hone conflict and thicken plots.

Center Stage's weeklong Playwrights-in-Schools program came from Baltimore to Eldersburg last week. During the residency, subsidized by a federal arts grant, playwright-in-residence Mark Novak led students in the exploration of the basic elements of character, conversation and conflict.

Mr. Novak and several other program instructors encourage participants to write a play for Center Stage's annual Young Playwrights Festival, during which professional actors perform the winning plays for the public.

Last year, the theater received 130 entries for the competition.

A playwright and composer who gears his work to youths, Mr. Novak brought contagious energy and enthusiasm to the classroom, set on the school's stage.

He worked with three, one-hour classes each day. English teachers had recommended some students; others were Kathy Schnorr's Drama II students, who have been studying play production.

Ms. Schnorr said the classes would read and critique scripts at the end of the workshop and videotape the best scenes.

Mr. Novak conducts six residencies a year for Center Stage.

"My goal is to give the students enough of a grip on craft and art, so they will be able to write their own scenes with identifiable characters and recognizable conflicts," he said.